psych ch2 Flashcards
This phenomenon is the brain’s ability to change, especially during childhood, by reorganizing after damage or by building new pathways based on experience.
plasticity
When is neural plasticity the strongest?
during childhood
What helps make the human brain unique compared to other species?
plasticity
In neural processing, _____ is a brief resting pause that occurs after a neuron has fired.
the refractory period
What has occurred when a neuron either fires or does not fire?
all-or-none response
Information processing in the body involves neurons communicating with each other at their:
synapses.
In stressful situations, the sympathetic nervous system _____ glucose (blood sugar) levels and _____ the pupils of the eyes.
raises; dilates
A medical equipment company is thinking of expanding by developing lie detection machines, which measure perspiration, cardiovascular, and respiration changes. On which system should its research focus?
the sympathetic nervous system
Which analogy might one use when trying to describe the function of the somatic nervous system to a middle-school child?
It functions like a remote control that moves a robotic arm.
This endocrine gland secretes many different hormones, some of which affect other glands.
pituitary gland
Derek engages in extreme sports and often participates in order to feel the rush that is associated with the release of epinephrine and norepinephrine. This rush comes from the:
adrenal glands.
What project is mapping long-distance brain fiber connections in search of “what makes every person different from all others”?
the Human Connectome Project
The _____ of the cerebral cortex are not involved in primary motor or sensory functions; rather, they are involved in learning, remembering, thinking, and speaking.
association areas
Dr. Jones is a neurosurgeon working with patients who have major epileptic seizures. What part of the brain might Dr. Jones sever to help reduce his patients’ seizures?
the corpus callosum
Tom was involved in a bar fight and sustained a blow to the back of his head from a beer bottle. He was dazed and could not see for about 2 minutes. Which lobe was affected?
occipital
Ezra went to see his doctor with complaints of erectile disorder (ED). His doctor has him participate in a sleep disorder study to determine the cause of his ED. The cause of his ED was determined to be psychological. Why?
because Ezra had a morning erection
The distinction between manifest content and latent content is central to _____ theory of dreams.
Sigmund Freud’s wish-fulfillment
Tim’s roommate fell asleep about 25 minutes ago. Now Tim needs to awaken him so that they can get to a party on time. Tim’s roommate is sleeptalking about his girlfriend’s cat. Tim tries multiple ways to wake his roommate but is unsuccessful. In which stage of sleep was he?
NREM-3 sleep
Which of the following is a neural change that continues throughout life?
plasticity
Which disease may be affected by the breakdown of the cells that produce the neurotransmitter acetylcholine?
Alzheimer’s disease
George suffers from insomnia. This is likely related to an undersupply of which neurotransmitter?
GABA
The _____ nervous system connects the CNS to the rest of the body.
peripheral
In terms of heartbeat, digestion, and glandular functioning, the body is a fairly well-oiled machine that works even when asleep. This is possible because of the:
autonomic nervous system.
The CORRECT order of the feedback system that reveals the intimate connection of the nervous and endocrine systems is:
brain, pituitary, other glands, hormones, brain.
John is a firefighter who wakes up in the middle of the night to the sound of an alarm. It is likely that his _____ have released epinephrine and norepinephrine.
adrenal glands
Where is the pituitary gland located?
brain
Which part of the brain controls heartbeat and breathing?
the medulla
A positron emission tomography (PET) scan depicts brain activity by detecting:
where radioactive forms of glucose are located during a given task.
Which of the following types of psychologists study the link between biological and psychological processes.
cognitive neuroscience
A person’s body is kept roughly in tune with the 24-hour cycle of day and night through this biological clock called the _____ rhythm.
circadian
This sleep disorder is characterized by high arousal and an appearance of fear. It occurs during NREM-3 sleep within 2 to 3 hours of falling asleep.
night terrors
_____ differ from one another, but they all consist of a cell body and its branching fibers.
Neurons
After an action potential has occurred, subsequent action potentials cannot occur until _____ happens.
the refractory period
Marie is babysitting her 3-year-old niece for the first time. While Marie’s back is turned, her niece touches her index finger to the pan Marie just took out of the oven. Her niece pulls her finger away quickly and a few seconds later begins to scream. Why is her screaming delayed in comparison with pulling away her finger?
The hand-withdrawal reflex involves only the spinal cord, so it takes time before the information about pain reaches the brain.
While listening to operatic solos, musicians process the lyrics and the tunes in separate brain areas. This MOST clearly illustrates the functioning of different:
neural networks.
If the top of the spinal cord is severed, a person will:
exhibit a knee-jerk reflex response without feeling the tap.
If one were to compare the endocrine system and the body’s electrochemical information system in terms of speed, one might call the former a _____ and the latter a _____.
tortoise; hare
The knee-jerk response is an example of a(n):
reflex.
What is the oldest part and central core of the brain?
the brainstem
The nerve network running through the brainstem and into the thalamus is called the:
reticular formation.
